August 25, 2016
ALMA, GA – Alma Police are investigating a case of child cruelty after a 21-month-old was taken to the hospital with severe bruising over her entire body.

The infant was taken to Bacon County Hospital, before being transported to Memorial in Savannah on August 24th. Surgery was performed to remove one the infant’s organs. She remains in critical condition.

The mother, 22-year-old Sarah Staten, who is 35 weeks pregnant, was taken into custody.

Staten has two other children, both under the age of 4, who were taken into protective custody by the Division of Family and Children Services.

Staten, who is not a Bacon County native, is charged with three counts of Battery and three counts of cruelty to children in the 1st degree.